Book Review: The Holy Spirit: A Pentecostal Perspective

Anthony D. Palma (Logion Press,
295 pp.)

Veteran Assemblies of God educator, Anthony Palma, has distilled a lifetime of study
in a handbook on the Holy Spirit. Writing in an easy-to-read style, Palma organizes the
book into three parts. Part 1 is General Pneumatology, spelling out the basics
of a biblical theology of the Spirit. Part 2, Baptism in the Holy Spirit,
updates the case for a baptism in the Spirit separate from conversion and evidenced by
speaking with other tongues. Part 3, Spiritual Gifts, articulates an understanding
of spiritual gifts, including gifts of leadership and practical assistance, as well as
the traditionally recognized nine gifts in 1 Corinthians 12.

This book interacts with both classic and modern scholarship, and yet presents a carefully
reasoned and biblically satisfying defense of classic Pentecostal belief. Palma also lays
the groundwork for an understanding of spiritual gifts that energizes the ministry, not
just of the clergy, but of every believer in the church.

The book features full subject and scriptural indexes, ample footnotes, and rich bibliographies.
It will encourage further research and become a standard classroom text; it will also
be a valuable source of sermon and Bible study material. This book is a must for every
pastor and student.